JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WASH. — A University of Kansas student has been presented the Association of the United States Army Leadership Excellence Award at the U.S. Army’s Leader Development and Assessment Course here.

John Bergman of Lawrence, Kan., was ranked No. 1 among 486 Army Cadets for the 7th Regiment at the 29-day Leader Development and Assessment Course, also known as Operation Warrior Forge, the capstone training and assessment exercise for the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps.

Cadets at Warrior Forge are tested on their physical stamina, endurance, ability to navigate over difficult terrain, and their team-building and leadership skills. An Army saber to signify the award was presented to Bergman at a graduation ceremony July 23.

Thousands of college students from around the globe converge at JBLM each summer to attend the course. Successful completion of this rigorous training is a prerequisite for becoming commissioned as a U.S. Army lieutenant.

This summer from June to August, more than 6,900 Army ROTC Cadets from over 1,100 colleges and universities will attend Operation Warrior Forge.

Supporting this massive training event are more than 3,000 cadre and staff from all Army components, including Active Duty, Reserves, National Guard, civilian employees and contractors. This combination of personnel makes LDAC one of the largest training exercises in the Army.